Page 1605 - Week 05 - Thursday, 11 May 2006
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .
The passage of this bill will remove a form of discrimination—
At 6.00 pm, in accordance with standing order 34, the debate was interrupted. The adjournment of the Assembly having been put and negatived, the debate was resumed.
MR BARR: The passage of this bill will remove a form of discrimination that is intensely felt by Canberrans who have been living quietly in long-term, loving relationships. It will also help ensure that all our citizens, regardless of their sexual orientation, are shown the dignity and respect to which they are entitled. Discrimination has no place in our society. I strongly commend this bill to the Assembly and hope that this legal recognition will prompt more people in same-sex relationships to come forward proudly into our community.
Finally, I wish those couples that choose to formalise their relationships under this new law long and happy lives together. I know that their commitment will be recognised and embraced by the vast majority of their fellow Australians.
MR SPEAKER: Order! Observers in the gallery, whilst legislation in this place often has a good deal of supporters, there is a long-held custom that we observe in silence.
DR FOSKEY (Molonglo) (6.02): I am very pleased to follow Mr Barr. It must be a great thing to be speaking in favour of something that has a personal as well as a political meaning to him. The ACT Greens welcome the government’s Civil Unions Bill because it delivers long fought for equality to many members of our community.
I observe that Mr Stefaniak has moved his party somewhat forward in proposing his bill but fear that this is in the spirit of protecting the privileged status of heterosexual marriage. I observe, too, that the moral right has moved with him, if the letters that I have received are any guide. This, I suppose, we can see as some progress.
The Greens have campaigned for the rights of gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and intersex people, henceforth GLBTI, since our inception. We recognise that the ability to develop relationships according to sexuality and gender identity are fundamental human rights. We believe, too, that the acceptance and celebration of diversity, including sexual and gender diversity, is essential for genuine social justice and equality.
While we have been attacked by right wing zealots for our policies, we have stuck to them, and I am proud to represent a party that is not deaf to or prejudiced against the needs of minority groups. Thankfully we in the ACT live in a territory where most have insight and tolerance and are supportive of equality for GLBTI people. I congratulate the Labor government on taking this brave step in providing that relationships, regardless of gender, be recognised and celebrated.
This is where the ACT government’s Civil Unions Bill and the opposition’s Registration of Relationships Bill differ. Both schemes recognise a relationship, but only the Civil Unions Bill celebrates it, providing the relationship with greater social standing. Although we already have provision in our legislation to recognise same-sex couples, it remains difficult for a same-sex couple to prove that they are in a long-term relationship.
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .